In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Thursday a massive reorganization plan that will relocate over 2,000 federal employees out of the National Capital Region (NCR) and into five new regional hubs across the country. The plan, outlined in a memorandum by Secretary Brooke Rollins, is driven by a mandate to reduce bureaucracy, cut federal spending, and bring USDA services closer to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers.

The Five Regional Hubs at the Core of USDA's Reorganization Plan

The move comes amid growing pressure on federal agencies to streamline operations, especially those tied to essential services like commodity programs, crop insurance, livestock oversight, and agricultural research. The USDA stated that its workforce grew by 8% in the past four years, and during the same period, employee salaries increased by 14.5%. These increases, according to the agency, occurred "without any tangible increase in service" to the agricultural sector. Rollins labeled the reorganization a "course correction" aimed at ensuring the department's size matches its financial resources and strategic priorities.

To begin this transformation, USDA is utilizing several voluntary exit programs including the Deferred Resignation Program, Voluntary Early Retirement Authority, and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments. By July 24, more than 15,000 employees had opted for deferred resignation, signaling significant internal support for the restructuring. The memorandum notes that reassignments-both directed and voluntary-will be used to better align USDA personnel with mission-critical areas. While the agency favors voluntary reductions, it made clear that limited forced reductions may be implemented if necessary, though only with the approval of the Deputy Secretary.

A major component of the plan involves moving USDA closer to the communities it serves. Secretary Rollins emphasized the disconnect between USDA leadership in Washington and the needs of rural America. "American agriculture feeds, clothes, and fuels this nation and the world," she said, "and it is long past time the department better serve the great and patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers we are mandated to support." About 4,600 USDA employees currently work in the NCR, one of the most expensive regions in the country, where the federal locality pay reaches 33.94%.

To address both cost concerns and service accessibility, USDA will relocate staff to five hub cities: North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado, and Utah. It will also retain smaller administrative centers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the process, USDA plans to close several major facilities, including the South Building, Braddock Place, the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, and the George Washington Carver Center. The ultimate goal is to reduce the number of USDA employees in Washington, D.C. to under 2,000.

In addition to relocation, the USDA is also initiating a drastic cut in management layers. The Agriculture Research Service (ARS) will eliminate area offices, shifting those responsibilities to its Office of National Programs. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will consolidate its current 12 regions into five, aligned with the new hubs. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will reduce its structure from seven regions to five, a change expected to unfold over two years. The Forest Service (FS), perhaps the most affected, will phase out nine regional offices by next year, though it will maintain a state office in Juneau, Alaska, and a service center in Athens, Georgia. All Forest Service research stations will be consolidated into one site in Fort Collins, Colorado, while the Fire Sciences Lab and Forest Products Lab will remain operational.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will also realign its structure to match the new hubs, and while Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) centers will stay in their current locations, those facilities are already situated within the new hubs.

The final part of the USDA's transformation involves consolidating support services. Among the major changes: civil rights functions will be unified under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and information management responsibilities will be absorbed into the Office of General Counsel; and Legislative Affairs will be centralized under the Office of Congressional Relations. These shifts are designed to reduce duplication, streamline oversight, and standardize service delivery across all USDA departments.

The reorganization is widely seen as a cost-saving initiative, but also as a strategic move to reposition USDA as a more agile, responsive agency at a time when American agriculture faces mounting challenges. Issues like supply chain disruptions, input cost volatility, foreign land ownership scrutiny, and the still-ongoing debate over the next Farm Bill make clear that USDA's ability to adapt will shape the future of precision agriculture, cooperative systems, and sustainable farming practices nationwide.

Though the transition is expected to span several years, the USDA has made clear its intention to move swiftly on building closures, relocations, and voluntary staff reductions, while preserving mission-critical functions and ensuring that agricultural services remain uninterrupted.